How to differentiate between stomach pain and pancreatic pain

It is not easy to distinguish between stomach pain and pancreatic pain, but by observing some details, we can roughly determine the source of the pain. Although stomach pain and pancreatic pain both occur in the abdomen, their pain characteristics and accompanying symptoms are different.

Stomach pain is usually located in the middle of the upper abdomen and may be accompanied by a feeling of heartburn, acid reflux, or nausea. Imagine your stomach is like a balloon filled with gas, and when you eat too much or too quickly, this balloon may feel uncomfortable. This discomfort is often worse after eating, especially if you have spicy, greasy, or acidic foods. If you have a stomach ulcer or gastritis, the pain may be more severe and even wake you up at night.

Pancreatic pain, on the other hand, usually occurs in the upper left abdomen and may radiate to the back. Pancreatic pain is often more severe and can be continuous or sudden. Imagine the pancreas is like a machine that is overloaded and will sound the alarm when it is overloaded. Pancreatic pain is often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, and jaundice, especially in the case of acute pancreatitis.

If you find yourself in pain that you can't relieve with simple measures, or if the pain is accompanied by severe symptoms, such as fever, jaundice, or severe vomiting, it's important to see a doctor promptly. Your doctor can perform a physical exam, blood tests, and imaging tests to accurately diagnose the root of the problem.

In daily life, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can help prevent stomach and pancreatic problems. Eating less high-fat and high-sugar foods, avoiding excessive drinking, and maintaining proper exercise are all ways to protect the stomach and pancreas.

Although stomach pain and pancreatic pain are similar in some ways, by observing the location, characteristics and accompanying symptoms of the pain, we can preliminarily determine the source of the pain. Of course, any persistent or severe pain should not be ignored, and professional medical advice is the most reliable. I hope this information can help you better understand and deal with abdominal pain.